Sometimes, the dog can also be spayed following the surgical removal of the puppies. This prevents future pregnancies and eliminates the risk of future caesarean surgeries.
Our skilled surgeons are proud to offer our patients scheduled and emergency Caesarean section services. The most important factors to consider when choosing anaesthesia for caesarean section are: 1) the health status of the mother; 2) the viability of the offspring; 3) is the surgery an emergency? 4) how to provide pain control for the mother; and 5) the ability to perform the surgery with the anaesthetic technique that is chosen.
Preparing for a C-Section
She may eat the night before, but not on the morning of her surgery. You may also give her water on the day of the surgery until it is time for your appointment with the vet. If mom is taking any medications, she can take these the morning of her surgery, with just enough canned food or cheese to coat the tablet. Do not use topical flea and tick products on her within a week of her due date.
Reasons for a Cesarean section:
- Narrow birth canal or awkward positioning of the litter
- Abnormal vaginal discharge at parturition- frank blood or dark green color
- Fetal distress
- Animals with a history of previous dystocia or reproductive tract obstruction
- Parturition that does not occur within 24 hr after a drop in rectal temperature to <100°F (37.7°C)
- Strong abdominal contractions lasting for 1–2 hr without passage of a puppy or kitten
- Active labor lasting for 1–2 hr without delivery of subsequent puppies or kittens
- A bitch or queen in obvious pain (eg, crying, licking, or biting the vulva)
- Female is having difficulty with natural birthing due to it’s pelvic shape or size
Diagnosis of C-Section for Dogs
Determining the need for a cesarean requires a few tests on the dog. Your veterinarian may perform digital vaginal palpation to evaluate maternal pelvic abnormalities, the size of the fetus and to attempt manual removal without surgery. If the puppies are too large or the pelvic canal too narrow for passage, a cesarean is recommended.
Abdominal radiographs may also be done to evaluate the size, location, and number of puppies in the uterus. Abdominal ultrasound examination may be done to evaluate the viability of the puppies. If these tests indicate that the puppies are too large or are in distress, an emergency cesarean would be recommended.
How is a C-Section Performed on Dogs?
Surgery is the final step after medical management has failed to assist the pregnant pet to deliver naturally. The mother must be carefully anesthetized in order to perform surgery safely while minimally affecting the unborn puppies.
The surgery is performed through an incision in the dog’s abdomen and the surviving puppies are allowed to nurse normally as soon as the mother is out of surgery.
Home Care and Prevention
After your pet returns from the hospital, she will need to be kept quiet indoors while she heals (approximately two weeks). It is important that you prevent excessive activity and “rough-housing.”
The incision should be monitored daily for signs of excessive redness, swelling, or discharge. Do not allow your dog to lick or chew at the incision, and if this is impossible, you should obtain an “Elizabethan” collar that is placed around the neck to prevent access to the incision.
Some vaginal discharge is expected for a few weeks after pregnancy and C-section.
The only way to prevent the need for C-section is by avoiding pregnancy in your pet. Early spaying of your animal will make it impossible for her to become pregnant.
What does a Cesarean section involve?
A Cesarean section is usually straightforward. In cases where the lives of the mother and her offspring are in danger, emphasis is placed on extracting the newborns hastily. In all cases, great precision and care are taken to ensure the safety and health of all patients. Initially, the mother’s abdomen is cleaned and shaved to reveal the surgical site. The mother then receives an injection of local anesthesia around the proposed incision site to numb the area and lessen the total amount of general anesthesia necessary for the surgery. An IV sedative is then introduced to allow the mother to completely relax. For their safety, we only implement mild sedative medications to protect the lives of the mother and her offspring. The midline incision is then made, exposing the uterus. Each newborn is gently extracted from the uterus and placed in neonatal care where breathing is stimulated, the amniotic sac is removed, fluid is taken out of their lungs, and their umbilical cords are tied. The mother’s incision is then sutured closed.
With the help of our trained staff, the mother will be guided in nurturing her litter and will be taught typical mothering techniques. After she begins to take motherly initiatives, the mother and newborns can be released to their owner.